Derek Jeter missed all but 17 games most of last season with a broken ankle. / Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

TAMPA - Derek Jeter, serenaded by rousing ovations from New York Yankees fans and mobbed by reporters at his locker after Thursday's exhibition game, can see it coming.

Fans will want to display their affection and appreciation everywhere he goes. They'll want to regale in his marvelous exploits of the past 18 seasons. And not a day will go by when reporters or camera crews won't be waiting for him.

Jeter realizes that everyone has good intentions, but he has no plans to be part of any elaborate goodwill tour, year-long retirement ceremony or victory lap.

He is here simply to play baseball and be an integral part of one more championship team.

And make no mistake: Any Yankees prosperity requires Jeter playing an integral role.

"I don't consider myself just some extra guy around here,'' Jeter told USA TODAY Sports. "I have a job to do. And I understand that my job is important.

"Really, that has never changed since the day I got here. So why would this year be any different?''

So hold onto the rocking chairs and ornate paintings.

The only gift he wants is that sixth World Series championship ring.

"We all know he's been a great ambassador of the game, but this has nothing to do about goodwill or anything like that," Casey Close, Jeter's longtime agent and friend, told USA TODAY Sports.

"He wants to compete. And nobody in the world competes like Derek. He is a killer at heart.''

Jeter has played 17 games since the 2012 season and will turn 40 in June, but the cold-hearted truth is that the Yankees need Jeter to play like the Jeter of old.

The Yankees aren't talented enough, deep enough or wealthy enough to buy their way out of trouble if Jeter doesn't play up to his standards.

"I've always been an important part of this team,'' Jeter said Thursday after going hitless in two at-bats in his first spring training game this year. "I understand my job is important. Offensively, defensively, it's important for me to be out there every day.

"If I ever felt as though I wasn't important, I would have left a long time ago.''

Yet, after nearly two decades, and five World Series championships, never, perhaps, has Jeter been so vital to the Yankees' fate.

They dropped $458 million on their four marquee free agents this winter - Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. Yet when it came time to bolster their infield, they scrounged for pocket change, spending $15 million.

Take a look - and grimace - at the Yankees infield.

Second baseman Brian Roberts, who hasn't played a full season since 2009, is replacing $240 million All-Star Robinson Cano. Third baseman Kelly Johnson, who has played 16 games at the position in his career, is replacing suspended $275 million All-Star Alex Rodriguez. And first baseman Mark Teixeira is returning from wrist surgery.

Meanwhile, Stephen Drew, who could be the ideal versatile infielder to plug a hole, is sitting at home, waiting for someone to top the Boston Red Sox's one-year offer for about $11 million.

Forget the sentimental goodbyes; those can wait until September.

"It's no secret: We absolutely need Derek,'' Teixeira said. "We need what he brings to the ballpark every day, his consistency, and that's what we expect.

"This is not some token farewell for Jeter.''

Jeter is agitated by the retirement sentiments and constant questions about his ankle. He says he feels the best he has in two years and wants to treat this spring just like any other.

Jeter demonstrated he can run without restrictions, nearly beating out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning Thursday while running full-speed to first base. If it were a regular-season game, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, he would have asked for a replay.

"Great sign for us; great sign for him," Girardi said. "I think it's important we were able to run him out there as much as we can. And that he is Derek.''

Otherwise, there was not a single ball hit to him during his five innings at shortstop, but he has flashed sufficient range in workouts. He hit into a double play in his other at-bat but feels as if he's driving the ball well in practice.

"Just getting out into a game, it felt good,'' Jeter said. "I felt like I haven't played in a couple of years. Physically, I'm fine. I'm not concerned about running or anything.''

Now, if only everyone else would just start paying attention.

"He's just like anybody else in here, except that he's Derek Jeter," Yankees closer David Robertson said. "And we need Derek to be Derek Jeter for a good part of the season. I know he had a rough road last year, but two years ago he was unbelievable.

"I can't see why he can't be the same guy. He can still hit. He can still play his position. He still has high expectations.

"He's not looking at this as a retirement, but as one more chance to win.''

Jeter concedes that he's not ready to open the season. Then again, everyone else in baseball can say the same. He vows he'll be ready opening day, believing he can return to greatness, and the Yankees are cautiously optimistic he's right.